What are the best soccer player haircuts? From Beckham's mohawk to Messi's mullet

8:00 PM SGT 30/8/22

Soccer stars have thrown up some of the most astounding haircuts over the years

Soccer and style go hand-in-hand. Players are famous for making fashion statements with their wardrobe, accessories and various other lifestyle choices.

Hair and beard styles are another major aspect of players' fashion statements. They captivate fans with some stylish and dashing haircuts. In fact, many top players have their own personal barbers and groomers.

Staying on top of the fashion game is extremely important to many of these stars and they continue to wow their fans with stunning haircuts, some of which are often outlandish and stand out.

Players like Paul Pogba and Neymar change their looks often enough, generating huge excitement and interest among fans.

Even the likes of Lionel Messi, a bit of a reserved character, is not averse to experimenting with his hair and beard style.

Let's take a look at some of the best soccer player haircuts we've seen over the years.

David Beckham

As far as style icons in soccer go, David Beckham is right up there.
The former England captain was known to make fashion statements with his trending haircuts.
This particular one, a mohawk, was done in 2001.
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Lionel Messi

In 2005, when Messi was only just emerging on to the scene, he was seen sporting a mullet.
He might have been a few decades late with the trend, however!
Fabrizio Romano

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo is one soccer star who's always on point with his fashion game.
The Manchester United man is known for fade cuts and slick backs.
This particular look was during pre-season in 2022.
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Mario Balotelli

The eccentric Italian striker was known for sporting mohawks.
However, this particular version of the mohawk, in 2014 during his stint at Liverpool, caught a lot of eyeballs.
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Paul Pogba

Pogba's visits to his barber are well-documented, thanks to the unique haircuts that he sports time and time again.
The ex-Manchester United star sported this radical leopard-print mohawk back in 2016.
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Gareth Bale

How to sport a long hair and look cool as a soccer player? Ask Gareth Bale.
With an undercut and a bun, the Welshman certainly rocks his long mane.
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Neymar

Does Neymar ever give his barber a rest? Very unlikely. The Brazilian star sports different hairstyles all the time.
This particular one, with bangs and a fade, was seen ahead of the 2014 World Cup.
Instagram.com/philfoden & Getty

Phil Foden

Inspired by Paul Gascoigne, Manchester City's Phil Foden decided to get this hairstyle ahead of England's Euro 2020 campaign.
He also promised that all members of the England squad would get the hairstyle if they won the tournament.
England's loss to Italy in the final just about have spared us from that.
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Paul Scharner

Paul Scharner was one of those players who might have had a barber on retainer.
The Austrian was known for sporting outlandish haircuts all the time, including this half-and-half black and white style back in 2009.
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Ivan Perisic

The Croatian winger was seen sporting a radical haircut during Euro 2016.
The Tottenham Hotspur man took patriotism to new heights by emblazoning the Croatian flag on his hair.
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Raul Meireles

The Portuguese midfielder was always known for sporting a striking hairstyle.
A mohawk, sported along with a thick beard and moustache, made him look intimidating.
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Carlos Valderrama

Is there a more iconic hairstyle in soccer than Carlos Valderrama's?
The Colombian's magnificent blonde afro defined his career in fact.
People often remember him for his hair rather than the fact that he was one of Colombia's best-ever players.
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Roberto Baggio

The maverick Italian was one of the best players of his time.
Baggio used to sport a hairstyle with a ponytail and it became so iconic that he was nicknamed "The Divine Ponytail".
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Ronaldo

As far as soccer hairstyles go, who can forget this gem that Ronaldo came up with ahead of the 2002 World Cup semifinal?
He had sported his iconic bald look throughout the tournament but just ahead of the semifinal against Turkey, the Brazilian superstar came up with this look to divert attention from an injury he suffered before the game.
Not sure if the hairstyle helped, but he did exorcise the ghosts from the 1998 World Cup. Brazil defeated Turkey and then went on to beat Germany 2-0 in the final, with Ronaldo scoring a brace.
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Abel Xavier

The Portuguese full-back was known for bizarre hairstyles and bold choices, just like how he moved to Liverpool from Everton back in 2002.
This particular style, with a mohawk and striking braids, was definitely bold!
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Joe Cole

Joe Cole, while at West Ham in 2002, decided to go with a rather unique hairstyle.
He sported a 'J' in West Ham's colours in his crop, making heads turn.
@ChampionsLeague / Twitter

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann, when he finally signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2019, sported a wavy, free-flowing curls.
A striking hair style indeed!
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Olivier Giroud

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud generally sports the same, but stylish nevertheless, hairstyle.
With a fade cut on the sides, the Frenchman generally has a slicked back combover.
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David Luiz

Another one of those striking haircuts in soccer, David Luiz's extreme coils and curls are iconic.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal defender is synonymous with this hairstyle.
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David Villa

Former Barcelona forward David Villa was known for his trendy hairstyle which involved short spikes, side cuts and long and thin side burns.
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Vagner Love

Vagner Love was a Brazilian forward known for his coloured braids.
He had coloured his braids bright blue during his time at CSKA Moscow.